‘Insults must not replace arguments’ – Bagbin cautions political actors against language that could undermine democracy
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has urged political actors, particularly Members of Parliament, to exercise greater restraint in their language and conduct, warning that the misuse of free speech could undermine Ghana’s democratic stability.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin cautioned political actors, especially Members of Parliament, against using language that could erode Ghana's democracy. He emphasized that democracy, while constitutionally protected, requires discipline, decency, and respect for opposing viewpoints. Bagbin made these remarks during a Parliament emergency session on September 29, as the House debated the misuse of free speech.
He stressed that democracy, not solely reliant on institutions, is sustained by a political culture where citizens can disagree without dehumanizing each other. Bagbin highlighted the power of language in politics, noting it can either unite or deepen divisions. He urged MPs to be mindful of the potential consequences of their public statements, warning against allowing their conduct to escalate tensions to an uncontrollable level.
Bagbin warned that Ghana's democracy could be jeopardized by a political culture where personal attacks replace debate. He urged leaders to model the political behavior expected in a democratic society. Bagbin called on all political actors to moderate their language, stressing that this responsibility applies to everyone, not just one side of the political divide.
He reiterated that responsible communication should extend beyond parliamentary sessions to include interactions on social media and other public platforms.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
